Flowery Branch — In the Falcons' season finale, Quinn Ojinnaka and Justin Blalock started at left tackle and left guard.

For the first mini-camp practice under new head coach Mike Smith Monday, both had new positions. Ojinnaka moved to left guard, and Blalock, a second-round pick in 2007, was at right tackle.

In order to create depth along the offensive line, Smith believes in training players at different positions.

"We're going to cross train all of our guys," Smith said. "You'll see [Blalock] at right tackle. You'll see him at right guard. We want to make sure that we can cross train guards and tackles, guards and centers."

Also, starting tackles Todd Weiner and Renaldo Foster are coming back from knee injuries from last season.

"When you get to game day, you have seven or eight linemen that are going to be active that day, so you've got to have guys cross-trained," Smith said.

Blalock played right tackle for three seasons at Texas. Ojinnaka has been a tackle exclusively since being taken in the fifth round of the 2006 draft.

"I'm just getting used to seeing things from a different view," Blalock said. "I played some there in college, so it's not completely foreign. It's just been awhile since I've seen some of the looks from out there."

Blalock, who spent his rookie season under first-year NFL line coach Mike Summers, struggled at times picking up stunts. He's looking forward to working with new offensive line coach Paul Boudreau, a 21-year NFL coaching veteran.

"He has a lot of energy," Blalock said. "He's been around the league for a long time. I hope to pick up a lot from him."

Smith liked what he saw from the offensive line.

"I thought they did a nice job," Smith said. "They were in unison and moving well as a group."

Eight players sit

Of the 67 players under contract, eight did not participate in the drills: quarterback D.J. Shockley (knee), running back Michael Turner (shoulder), wide receiver Brian Finneran (knee), offensive lineman Terrance Pennington (pectoral), defensive tackle Trey Lewis (knee), linebacker Michael Boley (ankle), tackles Weiner (knee) and Foster (knee).

Linebacker Keith Brooking (knee) was medically cleared and took part in all of the practice except for the one-on-one coverage drills.

"My knee felt great," Brooking said. "Today was a step in the right direction."

In other player news, defensive end Chauncey Davis and punter Michael Koenen signed tender offers Monday.

Secondary under construction

Free agent signees Von Hutchins and Erik Coleman stepped right into the secondary. Hutchins took over at DeAngelo Hall's left cornerback spot, and Coleman moved into Chris Crocker's old free safety spot.

"I thought they did a nice job in communicating," Smith said. "We've got to be able to communicate, first and foremost.

Schedule out today

The Falcons, who had become a prime time favorite of the league's television partners during the Michael Vick era, will find out today if they have any Monday Night Football or other prime time assignments when the 2008 NFL schedule is released.

The Falcons had two Monday Night Football games and played Indianapolis on Thanksgiving last season.